Convertible serving table and tray



Sept. 6, 1932. I J STRATHAUS 1,875,772

CONVERTIBLE SERVING TABLE AND TRAY Filed March 9, i931 B s I INVENTOR. BY 5 e ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES JOHN STRATHAUS, or OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, assre'ivonfrooaiimifn ASSOCIATION F cnnnrr MEN, or OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION CONVERTIBLE snnvnve TABLE Ann TRAY Application filed March 9,-

This invention is for a convertible serving table and tray adapted to interchangeable use.

The main object of the invention isto provide a device which may be used as a serving or card table or as a tray, and in which folding legs are provided which are rigid when extended and which are entirely concealed when folded.

Another object of the invention is to provide the device described with a push button released locking device for the legs in closed position and with self actuating braces.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentas the following description is read on the drawing forming a part of this specification.

The invention consists primarily of a serving tray provided with an inset bottom, and 20 folding legs adapted to fold Within the inset bottom, a push button released locking device for the legs in folded position, and self-actuating braces for the legs.

The invention is adequatelyiillustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention with the legs extended;

Fig. 2 is a detail view of the self-actuating braces;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of one corner of the tray with legs folded; and

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken on: line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Similar reference characters are used to designate similar parts throughout the several views.

The invention consists of a tray having a flat bottom 11 provided with a glass cover plate 12 and a curb 13 extending about the 0 plate, the members of which extend below the bottom 11 to form a receptacle in which the legs are adapted to be folded when the device is to be stored, or used as a serving tray. Handles 14 are provided at the opposite ends as indicated.

1931. Serial N0. 521,309.

The legs each consist of a pair of Standa d 15 with top cross member 16 and lower cross member 17. The legs are hingedly connected to the tray by means of spanning straps 18 which have an integral ear 19 which is pivoted at 20 to a bar 21 which is secured to the inside of the frame 22. One of the cross members 17 is provided with a latch plate 23 secured to the upper surface.

The braces consist of a strap 24 having an elongated slot 25 cooperating with a pin 26 secured in the outer edge of the leg standard 15, the elongated slot' having a transverse recess 27 at the outer terminal for locking the brace. The opposite end ofstrap' 24 is pivoted to the bar 21 at a point closer to the pivot 20 than the pin .26, so as'to cause the brace to swing about the pivot 28 and toward the center as indicated in Fig. 3 when the legs are folded. V

A pin 29fixed in the bar 21 acts as a stop for the brace 24, which is sufliciently resilient to cause engagement of the recess 27 with pin 26 and permit disengagement for folding legs, no additional springs or other urging, means being required.

The lock for the legs 15 consists of a latch plate 23 secured to the top surface of cross member 17, a latch bolt 30 having a. return bend 31, the leg 34 of whichcooperates with a slot in latch plate 23, is'slidably mounted a bracket 32, and is integral with a resil- "iently retracted plunger or push button 33 secured in the end member of the tray; By

pressing the push button 33 inwardly, the

legs are released and may be unfolded forming a rigid table as shown in Fig. 1. With the'legs folded as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a tray is provided which may be conveniently carried by means of the handles 14.

Having described anoperative method of constructing and using the device, it will be understood that variations iniconstruction and arrangement which are consistent with the appended claim may be resorted to without detracting from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing'any of the advantages thereof.

, I claim In combination with a table, provided with folding legs consisting of two pair of standards, each pair'being connected by an upper and lower cross member; push button releasable means cooperating between said table and one of said lower cross members for locking said legs in folded position, and releasable struts for said legs. i Y r In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

r JOHN STRATHAUS. I 

